DATACompiler 2000 – An FM-noise-making-machine

So if you’ve ready this brief blog before you’ll know that I made a Reaktor synth called ‘Cyberdyne’ as part of my sound design module at Point Blank. Since then I’ve been working on another synth based on a similar concept although I also had an idea for a set of ‘Lab Machine’ type sound generators, the first being the DATACompiler 2000.

Technically it’s an FM synthesizer, however it has virtually no playability… so it’s not all that practical for general day-to-day music making duties. It IS however capable of producing some super fantastic FM textures and is mostly intended to help with sound design work and similar (that’s what I plan on using it for anyway!)

Here’s an early screenshot of DATACompiler 2000

At this point it’s almost possible to tell what some of the controls do, however as you’ll see in the latest version I remedy that so you’re going to have to work out what function they have! I like keeping things interesting.

Here is the front ‘plate’ of DATACompiler in an early mockup. I created this in Photoshop using a screenshot of the Reaktor ensemble as a guide.

One thing I wanted to do with this synth (which wasn’t present on Cyberdyne) was to create custom buttons and faders as controls – to help keep the aesthetic consistent. Don’t get me wrong – the default controls from Reaktor are pretty nice but they’re just a little bit too clean for my liking. The latest screenshot is shown below – with custom buttons / sliders and a wealth of gizmos including dual scopes to monitor the audio output and provide some eye candy! I adjusted the main logo to use an LCD style display – although I’m not 100% happy with this yet. I am pleased however with all the sliders and two ‘programming’ knobs.

I’ll be posting a demo of the ensemble soon with a download link for anyone who is interested in making some FM noise!